The Big East conference and NCAA Football Rules Committee decided the final result of Syracuse’s 33-30 win over Toledo on Saturday will not be overturned, Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement Monday. The ruling was handed down despite an appeal from the University of Toledo.

‘Since the conclusion of the Toledo-Syracuse game, I have been in communication with Big East Commissioner, John Marinatto, along with Rogers Redding, secretary-rules editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee,’ Steinbrecher said in the statement. ‘By rule, once the game is declared over, the score is final and there is no recourse to reverse an outcome.’

The rule referenced in the statement is Rule 1, Section 1, Article 3, Paragraph b of the 2011 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations.

The rule states: ‘When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final (NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations, page FR-15). By rule, once the game is declared over, the score is final and there is no recourse to reverse an outcome.’

Toledo Athletic Director Mike O’Brien made a formal request Sunday to Steinbrecher to contact the Big East and ask that SU’s 33-30 overtime victory over the Rockets be vacated. O’Brien and Toledo head coach Tim Beckman felt the win should then be awarded to the Rockets.

The appeal was filed as a result of a botched official review late in the fourth quarter. With the score 29-27 following an Alec Lemon touchdown, SU kicker Ross Krautman attempted an extra point to give the Orange a three-point lead. The officials ruled the kick good on the field and then went to video replays for review. Even after reviewing the kick, the officials said it was good.

Since the game’s conclusion, the Big East has issued a statement indicating the officials made a mistake. Krautman’s kick was in fact wide left.

O’Brien said on Monday that UT accepts the ruling and the Big East’s statement that the league will stand by the call on the field.

‘While we are obviously disappointed for the student-athletes, coaches and fans that an officiating error played a role in the outcome of our football game at Syracuse, we accept the ruling from the Big East and the NCAA Football Rules Committee that the final outcome of the game cannot be reversed,’ O’Brien said in a statement. 

‘We appreciate the efforts of those who looked into this matter. We consider the matter closed and now look forward to the remainder of the Rocket football season.’

Syracuse has also moved on from the controversial call that led to Toledo’s appeal for Syracuse to vacate its win over the Rockets late Sunday night.

SU head coach Doug Marrone agreed with the Big East’s statement acknowledging the incorrect call on the extra point. But he also said there will always be some human error in a game and that unfortunately for the Rockets, it affected their team.

‘I do know I have confidence that we will all work extremely hard to make sure that those errors are reduced,’ Marrone said. ‘It’s a very difficult game. I understand that Toledo has looked to vacate the win. I understand their feelings, but as far as we’re concerned here, we’ve moved on to the next opponent.’

mcooperj@syr.edu

Published on September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Mark: mcooperj@syr.edu | @mark_cooperjr